Publisher's Summary

With friends like these, who needs enemies?

Private Kaylin Neya thought her home couldn't possibly get more crowded. But when one of her housemates, Annarion, decides to undertake the Barrani Test of Name, his friends refuse to let him face his task alone - and Kaylin's sentient home, Helen, is the only structure capable of shielding the rest of Elantra from the magnitude of their power.

Annarion and Mandoran almost caused the destruction of the High Halls once already. Add nine of their closest friends, and the danger is astronomically higher - especially since these guests are at the heart of a political firestorm. Imprisoned almost a millennium ago, their recent freedom threatens the rulership of several prominent Barrani families, and the machinations of those Lords make it almost impossible to tell friend from foe.

As political tensions ramp up, the shadows beneath the High Halls are seeking a freedom that has never been possible before. Kaylin must find a way to keep those shadows from escaping, or that freedom will destroy her city, the empire, and everything she holds dear.

Just my opinion, but I was disappointed. Overall, I don't like the storyline of the "lost" children of The Green. I love Teela, but the rest of their storyline is boring and full of politics and demonstrates how cold the Barrani are, but... we know that already. Most of the book was spent talking politics -nothing new was learned by us or by Kaylin. I found myself rewinding frequently to listen to parts I missed because it didn't hold my attention. There was some action, some of the characters we thought we could trust are thrown into suspicion, but overall, this book did not contribute much compared to other books. It's obviously background for what's to come, but I didn't need 16 hours of this background with Cast in Sorrow and Cast in Peril already behind us. And I missed the fun of Bellasdeo (sp?) and the emperor, I want more from Kaylin and Severn, even Mandoran's character especially when he is arguing and baiting Bellasdeo and getting stuck in walls. The usual characters didn't have a significant part in any of the book -very little of Marcus, the Hawk lord, Clint, Tara or any of the characters I look forward to seeing. I enjoy the books when we get to investigate and learn more of the other races -like Cast in Flight or Marcus' story, the Tha'alani or the even the towers - the growth Kaylin gains and the "other" side of the main characters, but in my opinion, this book could have been an in-between short story and we would have learned as much and moved on to the next story.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Rosemary

United States

30/01/18

Overall

Performance

Story

"Yawn"

Well that was boring. More and more with each of these books, I'm left at the end wondering what the point is. The narration is great but I'm tired of the soul searching and all the usual formulae. It's just dull at this point.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

John

Knoxville, TN, United States

18/03/18

Overall

Performance

Story

"Another Great Elantra Story "

This is a great continuation of the great arc of the Chronicles of Elantra! This one is another adventure to the West March and back, bringing the cohort to Elantra. It does run heavy on politics and intrigue, and is obviously a setup for the next in the series which I suspect will be much more action-oriented, but it has a fair bit of action and suspense and gives us questions which should be resolved in the next book, and possibly another to follow. It hints at the possible coming climax of the entire story arc, so it shouldn't be skipped, even if politics and backstory aren't your thing, and there are at least cameos for almost all of favorite characters from past books. Something is waking....

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Mary Neville Wall

Northfield, MA United States

24/02/18

Overall

Performance

Story

"Excellent! An Elantra chronicle at its best."

Superb, complex and engaging continuation of the series. Narrator makes the best even better. I'm listening to this story over and over with great delight and appreciation. Anxiously looking forward to the next Cast novel. May it be soon please!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Duchesscjay

Texas

14/02/18

Overall

Performance

Story

"Elantra"

The story continues with the cohort. Once again Kaylin, accompanied by Belusdeo ventures into the West March, courtesy of the Elemental water in the Keepers Garden. Quite without a by your leave or even warning. The Hallerones welcomed her and tolerated Belusdeo. Nothing is ever simple, when the battles were finished Kaylin had acquired more misfits for Helen to house and finally Kaylin got to sleep. Without danger lurking.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

rose

Virginia beach, VA, United States

14/02/18

Overall

Performance

Story

"More a bridge than a book"

I have enjoyed this series but also a little frustrated by it. Kaylyn’s character is maturing very slowly. Her constant self absorption with her own ideas is starting to ruin the series for me. This book was more an introduction of characters and setting the scene for the next book. Lots of good information but more of a bridge to what’s coming then an actual book. Also her weakness in keeping navarahm out of her head is appalling.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

J. Linch

Atlanta, Ga.

6/02/18

Overall

Performance

Story

"Cast in Disappointment"

I’ve been reading this series since the first book. And have become increasingly dissatisfied with the story line. There is NO new character development and has not been for a number of books now. If someone can actually explain the plot to me I would be both pleased, and very surprised. I don’t see where this story has been, nor where it is going. The character Kaylin Naya has become very stale.

Having said all that , I actually like the narrator, but she is not enough to keep me coming back.

I personally plan to move onto something else.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

ChaLea

28/01/18

Overall

Performance

Story

"Not what I expected"

I love these books, and have waiting impatiently for this one. This is the only one to disappoint me. It felt like a transition, not a complete book. I’m sure the next one will give me what I expected of this one, but this one was pretty predictable and feels incomplete.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Amazon Customer

braddock hills, pennsylvania, United States

26/01/18

Overall

"I want more"

I always pre-order this series it's on my must listen list and by the end of each book I'm wishing for the next book! I can't wait for the next book the wait is killing me already.💞💞💞💞💞💞

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Sho Sunaga

Fairfield, CA, United States

25/01/18

Overall

Performance

Story

"i need the next book NOW"

This volume ended up being basically half of a story arc like Sorrow and Peril. ( those volumes which i think i need to reread after.this book.) It does have a satisfatory ending but one cannot help but feel the battle has just begun.

In this book we get to know more about Teela's chilhood friends or cohorts when Kaylin takes an unexpected long distance trip. I loved the banter and conversation between the characters who all we know well and came to love by now. I also realised how much the beings around Kaylin have changed (grown?) due to their interaction with her while reading this book. On the other hand i feel a distinct lack of change and presence of Severn in this book. i hope we get to see more of him in the next book. It is very hard to talk about the plot without spoilers but i think i can say i found myself liking a character I never thought would come back as a major character. I look forward to how he will adjust to being a part of Kaylin's sphear in the next book.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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Amazon Customer

11/03/18

Overall

Performance

Story

"As amazing as usual"

Cast in deception is very much in keeping with the others in this series and manages to convey complex and foreign ideas very well. Can't wait for the next one

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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